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Artwork for Switched on Pop

Switched on Pop

Vulture
Pop Music
Hip Hop
Country Music
Music Industry
Taylor Swift
Madonna
Spotify
Billie Eilish
Tiktok
Sabrina Carpenter
Beyoncé
Reggaeton
Billboard Hot 100
Oasis
Electronic Music
Chappell Roan
American Music
Tate Mcrae
Robyn
Kendrick Lamar

Listen closer to pop music — hear how it moves us. Hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes536Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Switched on Pop

Latest Episodes

Boys of Dungeon Lane, McCartney's collaboration with producer Andrew Watt, arrived when McCartney was 83 and and he came out swinging: the opening track greets listeners with a dissonant, unresolved guitar chord that sets the album's tone. Harmonic i... more

A sci-fi ballet imagined a 2080 where AI strips people of purpose, and the day before its New York premiere, an actual dystopia arrived.

Arc Iris, the trio of Jocie Adams, Zach Tenorio and Ray Belli, built iTMRW as a concept record set in a future r... more

A culture that rewards easily consumable individual identities produces plenty of pop stars and almost no bands. A significant exception: MUNA, the trio of Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. MUNA treats the band as a structure that gro... more

Canada’s favorite export Drake is back! This month, the Toronto singer-rapper extraordinaire released three albums simultaneously: the long-anticipated return to form Iceman, the sultry, R&B Habibti and the pop-focused, clubby Maid of Honour. All thr... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Samara Cyn
Award-winning rapper and artist discussed in interview format
Episode: Samara Cyn is rap's best new writer
Gucci Caliente
Self-taught producer who trained at Limpi; later joined a band and pursued industry work
Limpi / Lillahammer Institute of Music Production and Industries
Episode: Olivia Rodrigo and the second verse massacre
Haley Joel
Artist and songwriter featured in Limpi program segment
Limpi program graduate
Episode: Hrishikesh Hirway made an album about running out of time — in no time
Hye Jin Lee
Clinical associate professor of communication at the USC Annenberg School
University of Southern California (USC)
Episode: BTS is back. But K Pop is not the same.
Maggie Rogers
Musician and activist featured on the episode
Musician, visiting artist at NYU (as discussed)
Episode: Maggie Rogers: going viral is a trap
Pat Monahan
Lead singer and songwriter of Train
Train
Episode: Learning to Love Train: "Drops of Jupiter" is back in the atmosphere
Jacob Collier
Musician, composer, and educator
Independent (artist)
Episode: Jacob Collier can make anyone sing
Fran Hoepfner
Wrote an article titled The Death of the Classic Film Score.
Vulture
Episode: Will Sinners do for blues what O Brother did for bluegrass?
Chris Duffy
Host of the TED podcast, How To Be A Better Human, and author of Humor Me, How Laughing Can Make You More Present, Creative and Happy.
TED podcast
Episode: Does humor belong in music?

Hosts

Nate Sloan
Host of the show, musicologist
Charlie Harding
Host of Switched on Pop, songwriter

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 5.6k ratings
  • Love love love this show!

    I love this show. I learn so much and love how deep you go into the music. So now for my request…how about a Noah Kahan episode!!??

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    woodcreeper
    United States9 days ago
  • A little like navel gazing

    Don’t get me wrong these dudes seem to know their stuff when it comes to western pop and western influences on some music. When it comes to Kpop well I’d listen to the communication professor from USC (?) as she seems more informed. So “normal” pop ya give these guys a try but stepping outside that wheelhouse? They don’t seem to do much research as stuff was flying over their heads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Nights Ending
    United States2 months ago
  • Pls

    Can you do one of stray kids and enhypen please

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stray kidfan
    United States2 months ago
  • Lack of Katy Perry content

    Is pissing me off. True art and hard work shall be celebrated

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    KatyKatKing
    United States2 months ago
  • 🩷

    I love this podcast but I wish they did a episode on Megan moronies newvalbum cloud 9!!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Wrestling Queen! 🤼‍♀️
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for more coverage outside Western pop or more focus on certain artists.
Listeners often praise deep musical analysis and entertaining banter, with many noting strong host chemistry.
Positive feedback frequently highlights thoughtful guest selections and accessible explanations of complex topics.
Fans appreciate the mentorship angle and emphasis on industry pathways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rostam reimagines American music
Q: How do you begin producing an album when working with different collaborators?
He describes a flexible approach: sometimes starting from scratch in the studio, other times building around the artist's initial idea, with collaborative production shaping the final sound.
Rostam reimagines American music
Q: What is the feeling you're telling us about in this album?
Rostam explains that the album explores intimate relationships and emotional ownership within a broader, optimistic vision of the American project, balancing personal vulnerability with a larger sense of national identity.
BTS is back. But K Pop is not the same.
Q: Hye Jin, what was your reaction when you heard this album title and heard this interpolation of this Korean folk song in the opening track of the album?
Hye Jin explains that using Arirang as a framework creates a bold, high-visibility through-line that anchors the album in Korean heritage while still opening space for global, contemporary pop influences. She notes the careful balance BTS strikes between tradition and modernity, and how the interpolation signals intentional Koreanness in a world-ready package.
Learning to Love Train: "Drops of Jupiter" is back in the atmosphere
Q: Did you ever imagine Drops of Jupiter would have this kind of longevity?
No, never. We didn't expect it to last this long, and the success came with its own set of pressures and expectations, which shaped how we approached future music and public reception.
Learning to Love Train: "Drops of Jupiter" is back in the atmosphere
Q: Charlie, I'm going to name some things and you tell me what they make you think of, okay?
Things like Mozart, Taibo, fried chicken and the best soy latte you've ever had evoke a mixture of nostalgia, specificity, and personal anchors that inform the song's grounded storytelling, ultimately contributing to its lasting resonance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Switched on Pop

What is Switched on Pop about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A music-focused show that breaks down pop through detailed musicology, production, and composition analysis, often featuring guest artists, producers, and educators who illuminate craft and cultural context. Episodes commonly blend technical deep-dives with banter and storytelling, covering topics from track-by-track analyses and vocal arrangements to artist identity, industry pathways, and cross-genre experimentation. A standout is the ability to translate complex musical concepts into accessible discussions, making it inviting for listeners who crave both rigor and personality. The show frequently highlights mentorship, training programs, and collaborations, offering practical takeaways for aspiring musicians, creators, and industry profe... more

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How many listeners does Switched on Pop get?

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What are the audience demographics for Switched on Pop?

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How many subscribers and views does Switched on Pop have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Switched on Pop has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Switched on Pop?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Switched on Pop:

1. Song Exploder
2. Popcast
3. The Sam Sanders Show
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
5. Pop Pantheon

How many episodes of Switched on Pop are there?

Switched on Pop launched 12 years ago and published 536 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Switched on Pop?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Switched on Pop?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Switched on Pop from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Switched on Pop?

Recent guests on Switched on Pop include:

1. Samara Cyn
2. Gucci Caliente
3. Haley Joel
4. Hye Jin Lee
5. Maggie Rogers
6. Pat Monahan
7. Jacob Collier
8. Fran Hoepfner

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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